Loose-leaf binder.



PATENTED JULY 17, 1906.

0. JOHNSON.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY15. 1905.

1n: nmnms PETERS co., wasnmcmu, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT oi rrora'.

CHARLES JOHNSON, OF TORONTO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR- TO WARWICK BROTHERS & BUTTER, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 17, 1906.

o (bZZ whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES JOHNSON, of the city of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Binders, of which the following is a sp ecification.

The object of my invention is to devise means for covering the backs of the leaves in a loose-leaf binder with a back resembling the back of an ordinary binding; and it consists, essentially, in the combination, with a binder comprising back and front covers and binding-posts connected to a bar secured to one of the covers, so as to leave a space between the bar and the cover, of a back or curtain passing through the said space and after passing'round the backs of the leaves of the binder secured to the posts or the other cover of the binder, substantially as hereinafter more specifically described and then definitely claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a binder constructed in accordance with my invention, part of one cover being broken away to better show the construction. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the back of the binder. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of the back cover and the flexible curtain or back.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

A is the back cover of the binder. Ordinarily the binding-posts B are connected directly with a metal strip at the back edge of the cover. In my construction this solid metal strip is replaced by a flattened tube O, and the posts are connected to a bar D, having its ends bent back and inserted in the ends of the tube O. The center part of the tube may be filled with any suitable filling a. It must be understood, however, that the construction described is merely a preferable one and any method of securing the bar to the back, so as to provide a clear space or slot 1) between the bar D and the back cover, would answer the purpose of my invention. Nor is it absolutely necessary that the posts be connected to a bar constructed as shown,

as long as a slot or space be provided in the back cover through or from which a flexible back or curtain E may be drawn. This ourtain is shown in the drawings as lying partly under the leaves in the binder, being drawn out through the slot 5. Its outeror upper edge is provided with suitable means whereby it may be connected with the bindingposts. In the drawings I show its edge provided with a flexible metal strip F, provided with holes 0, adapted to fit about the posts B.

For convenience in applying the metal strips to the posts a slot (Z extends from each post to the edge of the strip. By springing the metal at each side of one of these slots in opposite directions the binding-posts are easily passed through into the holes, and when the metal is bent back to its original position the strip will be securely held in position on the binding-posts. Of course other means may readily be devised which would answer the same purpose. I

The flexible curtain or back is preferably lined or marked similar to the back of an or dinary book and when in use efiectively protects the backs of the leaves from being torn or dirtied when the book is being handled, besides giving the binder a much neater and handsomer appearance than those loose-leaf binders ordinarily employed. As leaves are added to the binder and its constant thickness increased more and more of the curtain is pulled out through the slot or space cl, so that the back may always be exactly adjusted to the size of the book. As willbe seen in the drawings, ample provision is made in the width of the curtain to permit of the binder being filled up to any desired thickness. Owing to part of the curtain lying under the leaves and owing to the abrupt turn the curtain makes after passing out from the slot, it is securely held when in use and exhibits no tendency to pull out when the book is in use.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a loose-leaf binder the combination of a front cover; a back cover; a bar connected at each end to the back cover so as to leave a slot or space between it and the cover; binding-posts secured to the bar; and a back or curtain of flexible material passing through said space or slot and connected with the binder above the leaves, substantially as described.

2. In a loose-leaf binder the combination of a front cover; a back cover a tube bound within the back cover a bar having its ends bent back and inserted in the ends of the tube, leaving a slot or space between the cover and the bar; binding-posts secured to the bar; and a back or curtain of flexible material passing through said space or slot and connected with the binder above the leaves, substantially as described.

3. In a loose-leaf binder the combination of a front cover; a back cover a bar connected at each end of the back cover so as to leave a slot or space between it and the cover; binding-posts secured to the back cover over the said space or slot; a back or curtain of fleXible material passing through said space 01' slot; and means for connecting the outer side of the back or curtain to the binding-posts above the leaves, substantially as described.

4. In a loose-leaf binder the combination of a front cover; a back cover; a tube bound within the back cover; a bar having its ends bent back and inserted in the ends of the tube, leaving a slot or space between the cover and the bar; binding-posts secured to the bar; a back or curtain of flexible material passing through said space or slot and connected with the binder above the leaves; and means for connecting the outer side of the back or curtain to the binding-posts above the leaves, substantially as described.

Toronto, Ontario, June 29, 1905.

CHARLES JOHNSON.

In presence of- JOHN G. RIDOUT, ETHELBERTHA SMITH. 

